The Downs Law Group’s class action lawsuit attorney, Jason Clark, and Coconut Grove residents recently gathered in protest in front of City of Miami Hall demanding action after soil sampling data conducted by the Downs Law Group’s experts revealed elevated levels of dioxins at numerous residential properties within a one-mile radius of the former “Old Smokey” incinerator. The protest quickly drew the attention of several large local news stations including CBS News, NBC 6, WSVN, WLRN, The Miami Times, and more. The firm’s clients shared their stories of generations of cancer and illness that may be linked with exposure to the incinerator and contaminated soil in the neighborhood for decades.
“I experienced some of the effects from Old Smokey. My father passed away in 1961 from cancer,” said William Marshall, a resident of West Grove. “I’d seen almost a whole family wiped out from cancer.”
The contaminants in soil throughout the community the can be linked to the incinerator coined ‘Old Smokey’ that blew harmful ash over Coral Gables and Coconut Grove for almost 50 years before it was converted to a City of Miami fire rescue training center. Not only was toxic ash emitted out of the smokestack, thereby affecting many residents who resided within a one-mile radius of Old Smokey, but also the burned debris from the incinerator was placed at various dumpsites in and around the Grove. These dumpsites have now been turned into public parks, and include Armbrister Park, Douglas Park, Blanche Park, Merrie Christmas Park, and Billy Rolle Domino Park.
“The city has done nothing to clean up the properties that have been affected by the incinerator. That is 100 years of environmental racism towards this community,” said attorney Jason Clark.
“Dioxins are extremely harmful to human health. They are associated with numerous cancers, blood cancers, solid tumor cancers, kidney cancer, sarcoma, as well as many other non-cancers, birth defects, infertility, heart disease, among many others,” he continued.
The Downs Law Group is currently representing nearly 900 Coconut Grove and Coral Gables longtime residents who have health conditions that may be linked to ‘Old Smokey’ toxic exposure in a class action lawsuit filed 7 years ago.
“Last week, the city tried to file a motion asking the court to exclude any additional sampling that we do for this case. They don’t want to know about it,” said Clark.
If you lived on or nearby Coconut Grove or Coral Gables and are suffering from possible related medical conditions, you may be entitled to compensation and medical monitoring. Call today for a free review of your case and medical history. Remember, to join this lawsuit clients never pay a dime if The Downs Law Group does not win their case. Make your voice heard today! Call (305) 444-8226 now.